The classroom, just like any other classroom, was filled with loud chatter, which was expected considering the class contained twenty students who were still in their teenage years.
But this noise... this noise was something Nox greatly disliked. However, for once, a group of students seemed to be saying something useful, so he decided to pay attention.
"Who is this special instructor supposed to be?"
"I heard it's an adventurer."
"Hope she's a beauty like the headmistress." The boys giggled, their eyes glinting with mischief and anticipation.
At this point, it was no longer a secret that the majority of the students had a crush on the charming headmistress, who could easily make one blush with a single wink of her eyes.
Nox furrowed his brows as he played with the Oblivion Edge in his grasp, spinning it around absentmindedly. Now that he thought about it, he couldn't blame them. The headmistress was indeed a nation-topping beauty, and even he couldn't help but sneak a glance at her from time to time, though he wasn't as obsessed as the others.
I have more important things to deal with, after all.
There was only one rule Nox abided by: seek power and wealth. Fame and women would naturally follow. This was what he believed in. Apart from his tremendously powerful talents, this mindset had set him apart from others in his age group.
Just as he was lost in thought, the heavy door of the classroom opened.
A rhythmic set of confident, measured steps echoed in the classroom as a figure dressed in a purple dress that clung to her body stepped inside. After seeing the distinct white hair and that beautiful face, Nox's fingers froze mid-spin. His black eyes widened.
"Huh? What is she doing here? Don't tell me she's the instructor."
Standing at the front of the room was someone Nox thought he wouldn't see in a long time, especially after hearing that most of the students had already left. Deep inside, he had wanted to meet this person again. After all, he was very indebted to her.
This person was one of the few Nox genuinely cared about.
Standing at the front of the room, wearing a confident smile, was Wendy.
Nox wasn't the only one surprised. The others were also dumbfounded, though for entirely different reasons. One after another, the students began to speak in hushed voices.
"She... she looks so young."
"Is she really qualified to teach us special-class students?"
"Is she in the wrong class?"
Wendy completely ignored all the murmurs. When her gaze fell on Nox, the side of her lips twitched, threatening to erupt into a charming smile, but she didn't react further. Though their gazes met for only a split second, it felt like minutes.
Wendy turned to the class. Her demeanor was not only relaxed but also authoritative, which made some smart students like Theo, Kali, Zara, and Glen reevaluate her before jumping to conclusions.
To show such calmness in the presence of so many geniuses could only mean one thing: she was equally as powerful or even more so. The reason they believed she was more powerful was that the headmistress wouldn't assign a weakling to oversee special-class students.
"Morning," Wendy said. Her voice was soft yet authoritative. "I'm Wendy, your new assistant sword mastery instructor."
"I'll save you the theatrics," she continued, walking slowly across the front of the room. Her boots clicked against the wooden floor. "I'm not here to teach you how to swing a sword or recite fancy combat techniques. If you're looking for that, go cry to one of the old men down the hall."
Several students shifted uncomfortably.
"I'm here to make sure you can actually fight," Wendy added sharply, her emerald gaze sweeping over them like a hawk. "Out there, no one cares about your noble titles or your fancy ranks. Either you're alive, or you're not. Simple as that."
Her tone was slightly arrogant, but everything she said was the truth, though only a few grasped it.
One brave student raised his hand and asked, "Aren't you still an adventurer? Why are you even here?"
Wendy's smirk returned, her gaze flickering to Nox briefly before she answered. "Good question. The academy pays well, and unlike you lot, I enjoy a challenge." She leaned back against the desk, crossing her legs. "Besides, what better way to keep my skills sharp?"
At the far corner of the room, Glen's eyes flashed strangely. So she's here as well, the swordswoman muttered to herself.
But unlike the rest of the class, behind her visor, Glen's focus wasn't on Wendy's introduction. It was an entirely different reason altogether.
Wendy wrapped up the briefing shortly after, dismissing the class with a wave of her hand. "That's it for today. The main teacher is currently out of town, but tomorrow he should be back, and we'll hold our first class.
"Today is more like a briefing. You're dismissed."
One after another, the students started to exit the class. Nyx and Wendy briefly shared a nod before the former left as well.
Blake wanted to remain behind but decided to give the two some privacy. When he was gone, Nox approached Wendy.
She looked up, and for the first time that day, her face softened as she said in a teasing voice, "Long time no see."
"Nice to see you too, Wendy," Nox smiled as he commented. "You're looking more like a woman now, and I didn't take you to be the kind to become an instructor."
Wendy's smirk twitched, her expression flickering for the briefest moment before settling back into her usual calm. "Hahaha, I've always wanted to be an instructor. Didn't I tell you before? I thought I did in Coastal City."
"No, you didn't." Nox didn't buy it. He had this feeling that there was more to Wendy being here. He wasn't so sure, but he could sense it. Nox opened his mouth to argue further, but Wendy stopped him with a raised hand. "Not here, alright? Talk later. I've got work to do."
"Alright then, we'll talk later, a few days from now." Nox nodded and proceeded to walk away when Wendy called out.
"A few days from now? Where are you going?"
"I have something to settle. Oh, and since you're our assistant instructor, I'm asking permission from you for a leave."
"Huh?" Wendy shouted back. "But you just started class!"
"It's important," was all Wendy heard before Nox disappeared into the crowd of students.
When he was gone, Wendy mumbled to herself, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's good he doesn't know I'm here because of him."
An hour later, Nox stood alone in his room.
"Let's get stronger," Nox muttered to himself, his eyes fixed on the swirling portal forming before him. In his hands was the familiar, unnerving dimensional key.
Thanks for supporting Supreme BeastTamer! This is the bonus chapter for 100 Gt target! Lets continue!!!